What does the traction control light mean and how do I fix it?
Automakers are putting more and more safety features into today’s cars. But one that’s been around for 45 years remains one of the most effective: traction control.
Once upon a time, it was only available on luxury cars, but nowadays, more cars have it, and that’s a good thing. When everything works properly, it can save your life. But while it’s a great feature, you need to know what it means and what to do when your TSC light comes on.
That’s why I’ve created a comprehensive guide that tells you everything you need to know about this amazing technology.
What does TCS mean in cars?
TCS in cars stands for Traction Control System. The traction control system detects when your wheels are about to lose traction. When the system detects this, it intervenes by reducing engine power to the wheels. This helps your car maintain traction and stay on the road.
If your TCS light is on in your dashboard, it means there’s a problem with your traction control system, which we’ll explain more about in a moment.
What does the traction control light mean?
The Traction Control System (TCS) light comes on when a fault code is stored in the traction control system. The traction control system helps you maintain control of your vehicle if you lose traction on one or more wheels while driving.
This happens most often on snow, ice, or in less than ideal road conditions. Additionally, your driving style affects how often you’ll need the traction control system. The more reckless you drive, the more often traction control will be needed to save you. What the Traction Control Light (TCS) Does
The TCS light serves several functions. First, it tells you if the system is active. If the light comes on and off while you’re driving, it means traction control is on. You’ll feel your brakes locking and releasing as the ABS turns on and off. When the wheels are turning, everything is working properly.
In addition, the light should come on and off the first time you turn your ignition key. This is a system check. As long as the light is off, everything is working as intended.
- If the TSC light doesn’t go off after the system check, caution is advised.
- If it remains on, your vehicle’s traction control system isn’t working as intended or has been turned off.
- If the light flashes randomly while driving, but your wheels are not losing traction, a serious system error has occurred. Do not drive your car until repairs are made. Otherwise, you risk the ABS accidentally braking while you are driving, which could quickly lead to an accident.
What Causes the Traction Control System (TCS) Light to Come On
The most common reason your TSC light comes on is because the system is turned off or you have a faulty wheel speed sensor. While these are the most common issues, they are not the only things that can cause your TSC light.
Below are the four most common reasons your vehicle’s TSC light comes on.
1. TSC System Powered Off
Did you know you can turn off the traction control on your vehicle? The steps vary slightly depending on the vehicle, but can be done on almost any vehicle. Although it’s usually only useful for drifting, it’s one of the most common reasons this light stays on.
Learn how to turn your vehicle’s traction control on and off. Give it a try. If the light goes out, it’s your problem. But if not, keep reading.
2. Faulty Wheel Speed ​​Sensors
The most common reason for problems with a vehicle’s traction control system is a faulty wheel speed sensor. Each wheel on your car is equipped with a sensor that tells the ECM how fast it is rotating.
If one or more of these readings don’t match the data from the rest of the wheel speed sensors, traction control will kick in to correct the situation. However, if the wheel speed sensors are offline or report erroneous readings, traction control will kick in.
3. Steering Angle Sensor Failure
Another important component of the traction control system is the steering angle sensor. This is because when turning the vehicle, the outside wheels turn faster than the inside wheels. This is completely normal, and the steering angle sensor is telling the ECM what is going on. However, if the steering angle sensor still reports going straight when you are actually turning, the traction control system may record an error and activate while turning.
4. Faulty Wiring/Electrical Issues
Wiring or electrical issues are less likely than a faulty sensor, but they are still possible. It doesn’t hurt to have all your sensors working properly, even if the cable sending the signal is corroded or damaged.
The most common place for wiring to go wrong is right next to the wheel speed sensors, as these wires are often exposed to the elements. Be sure to check that there aren’t any faulty wiring or underlying electrical issues before spending a lot of money on a new sensor.
Is It Safe To Drive With a Traction Control System Light (TCS) Light?
It is usually safe to drive with a TSC light – but it is not advisable to do so. The reason for this is twofold. First, your traction control system is there to help your vehicle maintain traction on slippery road conditions, so you’re losing an important safety feature when it’s not working correctly.
Second, depending on the fault in the system, your traction control could kick on while driving. This would mean that your ABS would start applying your brakes as you drive down the road. This is incredibly rare, but it can happen, which is why you should fix the fault as soon as possible.
Summary
While your traction control system can seem like a headache when it’s not working the way it should, this innovation has prevented thousands upon thousands of accidents throughout the years. So, while you might be cursing the system now, you’ll be thankful for it when you need it most.
Take the time to fix your traction control system if it starts acting up. Chances are you’ll be thankful that you did.
